The Top 5 Online Master’s in Social Work No GRE Programs

Finding online master’s in Social Work no GRE programs is easier than ever. Earning your master in social work online is an incredible way to learn the practical skills needed to help people going through difficult circumstances. If this is something you’re interested in, but are a little unsure about where to get started—particularly when it comes to GRE requirements—well then you’re in the right place.

We’ll give you the full low-down of everything you need to know to start this exciting new path!

Article Navigation: Applying to a Master of Social Work Online Program | Benefits of a Master’s in Social Work Online No GRE | 5 Best Social Work Master’s Programs Online No GRE | Steps to Apply to a Master’s in Social Work No GRE Required | Does an MSW Online No GRE Program Affect My Career? | Find Your Master’s Online with GetEducated

Applying to a Master of Social Work Online Program

Quick Review: What is the GRE?

GRE stands for the Graduate Record Examinations test. For almost 90 years now, the GRE has been used as a standardized admissions test to help universities evaluate fit and preparedness for master’s and doctoral-level programs. It is comprised of sections on:

1. Verbal reasoning
2. Quantitative reasoning
3. Analytical writing

Test takers receive a score on each section. Then, faculty and staff can use those scores to help determine whether or not a prospective student will find success in any given program.

While some programs require the GRE for admission, there are still many that do not include this as a requirement. This article focuses on those universities. Next, we’ll and share the path to earning an online master’s in social work no GRE required.

What Do I Need To Pursue An Online MSW Degree?

All MSW online no GRE students will need to have a bachelor’s degree. While universities will usually accept a degree in any discipline, often students entering these programs will have a degree in social work or in a related field. In that vein, those with a Bachelor of Social Work can generally apply for a faster Advanced Standing MSW program. For students coming from a different background, some accredited online social work programs may want you to take some foundational courses before officially beginning their master’s program. Some examples include courses in social work or humanities.

Applying for an Online Master’s in Social Work (No GRE)

If you have not taken the GRE and don’t plan to, you’ll want to pay extra close attention to the admissions requirements of the schools you are researching. If a school requires a GRE, they will not consider you for admission if you do not submit your scores. Doing due diligence on the right online master’s in social work no GRE programs is the biggest first step. Later on, we’ll share more specifics about the whole admissions process.

Applying for a Traditional Master’s in Social Work Online (GRE Required)

Traditionally, admission to a typical MSW program requires taking the GRE. If you decide to pursue a degree with a GRE requirement, we recommend investing in good study materials and giving yourself enough time to prepare. Between scheduling your test day, studying, and waiting for results, applying at one of these kinds of programs will be a longer process that takes more foresight. Check out this site for some more information and resources on how to study for the GRE.

Benefits of a Master’s in Social Work Online With No GRE Requirement

There are several benefits to pursuing an online master’s in social work no GRE. First, as alluded to above, studying for and taking the GRE can be fairly time-consuming. It’s recommended to spend at least 1-4 months studying for the exam, and then it will take another 1-2 weeks to receive your results. If you’re itching to get started in your program, looking for an accredited master in social work online where the GRE is not required will help expedite that process.

In addition to saving time, there is also some saved cost. While not crazy expensive, the GRE test will cost around $200. You will also likely spend money on study materials. Altogether, you can save about $200-$300 dollars in the admissions process by applying to programs with no GRE. We know that’s not a fortune, but we also know that sometimes every penny counts! To see the most affordable MSW programs online, click here.

Pursing a program that doesn’t require a GRE will still leave you with a wide variety of options. You can still specialize your degree and attend a competitive program. In fact, taking the GRE has virtually no impact on any part of your future social work career. Like a GPA, it is simply a tool used by some admissions committees. If you want to save yourself the time, money, and headache by applying to only non-GRE programs, we say go for it!

5 Best Social Work Master’s Programs Online No GRE

Check out our list below to discover the five most affordable and best social work master’s programs online that do not require a GRE in the admissions process:

1. Campbellsville University

   Degree: Master of Social Work
   Tuition per credit hour: $603

   Founded in 1906, Campbellsville is a Christian University located in Campbellsville, Kentucky. They also have a couple of other instructional sites throughout the state, one in California, and a robust online program. It’s a liberal arts institute that seeks to “prepare students as Christian servant leaders for lifelong learning, continued scholarship…and active participation in a diverse, global, society.” They have a total enrollment of over 13,000 students and are consistently ranked as one of America’s best Christian universities.

   The MSW Online

   Their master of social work online program holds CSWE accreditation, taking students two years to complete. Reflecting the school’s overall mission, their MSW degree is “rooted in ethical and Christian ideals along with trauma-informed practice.” Their program prepares students for several career paths including counseling, working with at-risk children, advocacy groups, and more.

   Campbellsville offers five different areas of focus to support each student’s career goals: Clinical,

   – Substance Use Disorder
   – Faith-based focus
   – Combined Clinical and Substance Use Disorder focus
   – Combined Clinical and Faith-based focus

   Students who have a degree in an unrelated field will need to complete a full 60-69 credit program. The full program contains 24 credit hours of foundational courses, 24 credit hours of advanced standing courses, and 9-18 credit hours of each student’s selected area of focus. Along with these courses, students must complete at least 900 hours of field experience—450 of which must be done while working through the foundational level courses.

   If a student already has their bachelor’s degree in social work, they can apply to be in the Advanced Standing program. This program can take as little as a year to complete and is only 30-39 credit hours.

   Students in this track do not need to take the foundational level courses but can instead jump right into the advanced standing courses followed by the specialization courses. There is also a reduced practicum hours requirement in this track with only 450 required hours.

   Those interested in attending this online master’s in social work no GRE program will be required to submit: an online application, an MSW program application, undergraduate transcripts, and three recommendations. Students applying for the Advanced Standing program must also show a 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA, no D’s or F’s, and a social work degree from a CSWE-accredited school.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Social Work

    

2. George Mason University

   Degree: Master of Social Work
   Tuition per credit hour: $830

   George Mason University was founded in 1957 as a branch of the University of Virginia. A couple of years later in 1972, the Governor of the state signed the documents to separate George Mason into a completely separate school in order to better serve the northern area of the state. Since that time, the school has seen a lot of growth and now boasts over 39,000 students. While its main campus is in Fairfax, Virginia, George Mason has several branch campuses of its own across the state, internationally, and online.

   The university has four key priorities and goals as a scholarly institution. They seek to “foster a healthy economy, a healthy planet, a healthy society, and healthy people.” George Mason emphasizes diversity and is working on a strategy blueprint to grow in size, capacity, and leadership in order to take on the world’s challenges and be change-agents for health.

   The Online MSW

   Under the larger umbrella of Public Health, George Mason offers their accredited online master in social work programs both on campus and online. Their program focuses on economic justice, social justice, and human rights through academic rigor, turning social science theory into real-life interventions, and engaging in powerful community partnerships. All students must choose to specialize in either Children, Youth, & Families, or Adults & Healthy Aging.

   The online version of their program is 100% remote, 60 credit hours. Students with an undergraduate degree in an unrelated discipline will begin with ten generalist courses, 1-4 elective courses, 5 specialization courses, and four different practicums. Students who have an earned bachelors in social work may qualify for the Advanced Standing program. In this track, students only need to take one generalist course, followed by their specialization courses, 4 elective courses, and field placements.

   George Mason’s admissions requirements include:

   – Completed application
   – Resume
   – Two letters of recommendation
   – Statement of purpose
   – Undergraduate transcripts with a 3.0 minimum GPA

   Applicants must have taken undergraduate courses in statistics, English composition, history or government, and social science. It’s also highly desirable for students to have some sort of experience within the social work field.

   Prospective students wishing to be considered for Advanced Standing must have earned their BSW in the past five years with a minimum GPA of 3.2. They also must participate in a field evaluation and a video interview.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Social Work

    

3. University of Southern California

   Degree: Master of Social Work
   Tuition per credit hour: $886

   The University of Southern California was founded in 1880 in the city of Los Angeles. Before the city even had paved roads, USC opened its doors to a founding class of 53 students. Fast-forward over 140 years, and they have grown to almost 50,000 students. The school has two campus locations in addition to their online programs.

   USC’s faculty, staff, and students practice six “unifying values” that set the school apart:

   – Integrity
   – Excellence
   – Diversity
   – Equity & Inclusion
   – Well-Being
   – Open Communication
   – Accountability

   These values aim to provide both unity and inclusion and foster both individual and community growth. The school takes these values extremely seriously and in 2021 adopted a lengthy “Code of Integrity and Accountability” that flushes out what these values look like in practice throughout all levels of the university.

   The MSW Online

   Their online MSW degree consists of coursework, virtual practicums, and community-based practicums. Students can choose between five different program concentrations: Adult Mental Health & Wellness, Children, Youth, & Families, Social Change & Innovation, Military Populations & Settings, and School & Educational Settings.

   Students who do not have a bachelors in social work will be enrolled in the traditional program. The traditional program is 42 credit hours full-time or part-time. The program begins with one semester’s worth of foundational courses and then progresses to three semesters of focused specialization studies. Students will also complete over 1000 hours of practicum hours. Some of these hours may be virtual practice hours with a faculty member acting as a client, and some of these hours will be hands-on community work within the student’s interest areas.

   USC does offer an Advanced Standing track for those students who already have a bachelors in social work. This is a 24 credit unit program that can be completed in as little as 12 months. In this track, students get to bypass all the foundational level courses and also have reduced practicum hour requirements.

   Prospectives interested in applying to USC’s online master’s in Social Work no GRE program will be required to submit: undergraduate degree and transcripts with a minimum GPA of 3.0, a resume, a statement of purpose, and two letters of recommendation. To apply for Advanced Standing, applicants must have earned a BSW within the past five years from a CSWE-accredited school. Along with a cumulative 3.0 GPA, they also must have had a 3.0 GPA in all of their BSW classes.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Social Work

    

4. Our Lady of the Lake University

   Degree: Master of Social Work
   Tuition per credit hour: $981

   Founded in 1895, Our Lady of the Lake University is a Catholic University that was begun by Sisters from the religious order of the Congregation of Divine Providence. The mayor of San Antonio, Texas gifted the Sisters with a parcel of land and construction of the university officially began in 1895. The first programs started in 1896 in the form of an all-girls school. The university has since grown to over 2,000 students and consists of three campuses along with an online program.

   OLLU has four core values it uses as guides for its beliefs and decisions: Community, Integrity, Trust, and Service. They seek to “challenge the diverse student body with transformative experiences to enrich their lives.” They are raising up future Catholic leaders who can combine academic wisdom with their faith in order to serve their fellow man.

   MSW Online Program

   The affordable online MSW programs no GRE from OLLU are housed in the Worden School of Social Services. OLLU prides itself on being the first social work school in all of Texas. Another large distinctive is that they are one of only three programs in the country with a special emphasis on working with the Hispanic population and serving their unique challenges.

   Students without an undergraduate degree in social work will enroll in a 57 credit program comprised of foundational courses, advanced standing courses, and just under 1000 hours of fieldwork. Because the degree in general specializes in serving the Hispanic community, there are no additional specialization options. This program typically takes students two to three years to complete.

   There is an Advanced Standing track offered for students who do have a bachelor’s in social work. This track can take as little as one year to complete and is only 30 credits. Students in this track only need to take the advanced standing courses and field work requirements.

   Those interested in applying to OLLU’s master’s in social work no GRE required program are required to submit: an undergraduate degree and transcripts with a minimum GPA of 2.5, three letters of recommendation, agreement to the Code of Conduct and mission, and a writing sample describing why they want to pursue this degree. In addition to these items, prospectives applying for Advanced Standing must submit: their BSW transcripts with a minimum 3.0 GPA and a resume.

   Find Out More:
   Master of Social Work

    

5. Case Western Reserve University

   Degree: Master of Social Work
   Tuition per credit hour: $1,630

   Case Western Reserve University originally began as two separate colleges. Founded in 1826, Western Reserve College began about 30 miles from Cleveland, Ohio. By 1882, Cleveland had grown so large that the university moved to uptown Cleveland. Around the same time as that move, Case School of Applied Science began as a polytechnic school, also located in Cleveland. Over the years, the two institutions collaborated together in many ways and on July 1, 1967, the two schools officially merged to become Case Wester Reserve University.

   Today CWRU has an enrollment of over 12,000 and has several awards and rankings to its credit. They have four core values that serve as guiding principles: Academic Excellence & Impact, Inclusiveness & Diversity, Integrity & Transparency, and Effective Stewardship.

   MSW Online Degree

   CWRU was the first professional social work program in the country and today it’s still one of the best in the nation. This program seeks to empower students to be agents of change through the pillars of equity, innovation, and transformation. Their classes are live so that students can get the full benefits of an in person classroom with the flexibility of watching from home. The program offers three areas of specialization for students to choose from based on their interests: Children, Youth, & Families, Mental Health with Adults, and Community Practice for Social Change.

   The traditional online master’s degree in social work no GRE program is a 60 credit program that takes two and a half years start to finish. It begins with 18 credits worth of generalized courses and then 42 credits of advanced and specialization courses. Along the way, students will also complete 900 hours of fieldwork.

   Students who have already earned their bachelor’s in social work within the past seven years are eligible for the Advanced Standing track. This program can be as little as 39 credits and can be completed within a year and a half. There is also a reduced fieldwork requirement of only 500 hours.

   Admission requirements for Case Western Reserve University include: an application, a resume, undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement essay, and an analytical essay. Those interested in applying to the Advanced Standing Track must also submit an additional essay that shares about their previous experience in the field.

   Find Out More:
   Case Western Reserve University

    

How to Apply to a Master’s in Social Work No GRE Required

As seen from these five schools, there are slight variations in application requirements between different programs. In general, you should expect to have to submit an application, transcripts, and some sort of writing sample or personal statement.

Usually filling out an online application is the first step, followed by requesting your transcripts from your alma mater. Once those are in, you can work on the more detailed and time-consuming pieces of the application. Don’t be afraid to reach out to an admission counselor to help you through each of the steps, answer any questions, and give you some peace of mind.

One step that you do not need to do with master’s in social work no GRE required programs? Study for, take, or submit GRE scores! There’s one thing you already get to check off your list!

Does an MSW Online No GRE Program Affect My Career?

Absolutely! Attending one of these best MSW programs online in a no GRE program will open many doors.

First and foremost, MSW online degrees prepare you to officially become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). This accomplishment alone allows you to do so many more things within the realm of social work—including opening your own private practice. Other career options include: child protection specialist, a trauma services manager, a residential therapist, and much more!

Beyond just credentials, let’s also look at the numbers. A social worker with an online BSW will earn around $64,029 on average. On the other hand, a licensed social worker with their MSW will earn an average of $78,493. This is a substantial difference of about $14,500 per year. To illustrate further, the average advanced standing MSW program that prepares you for licensure costs around $25,700. So it will take less than two years for your education to pay for itself.

If social work is your long-term goal, then attending one of these accredited online master of social work programs is definitely the right way to go!

Find Your Master’s Online with GetEducated

Whew, that was a lot, but you made it! There are so many amazing accredited online MSW programs no  GRE required for prospective students just like you, and we hope you found a program or two that really  piqued your interest.

Now that you have the right information and tools in your back pocket, it’s your time to start a deeper dive into these programs and pick the one that’s right for you. We believe in you and know you will touch many hearts, minds, and lives along the way. It’s your time to shine!

If you want to learn more about this and other online degrees, check out GetEducated to read all about the amazing online options that are available for you!